CFL Targets: Week 12

Welcome back to CFL Targets, where we identify a few players to take a look at when constructing your roster.

Quarterback

Zach Collaros ($11,600) – Collaros has absolutely taken the league by storm, statistically anyways, since his return from injury. The Hamilton QB has now passed for over 350 yards in three straight games, all while compiling 12 passing TDs in that span as well. The price tag is somewhat off-putting, but in another matchup with Toronto this week (the team he burned for four TDs last week) I think you can still use him and find value at other positions to help fit him in. Hamilton’s passing game is second to none right now and getting exposure to their QB is the best way to take advantage fantasy-wise.

Ricky Ray ($8,200) – Ray’s second game back after injury went well last week as he torched Hamilton for over 300 yards passing and three passing TDs. Toronto’s offense is finally back to full strength with the return of Ray and one of his best targets in Tori Gurley. This bodes well for this week as they take on Hamilton, again, a team who has allowed the opposition to score 30 points or more in 5 of their last 6 games. Value-wise, Ray is perhaps the best play at QB this week in my opinion, as another shootout between the Argos and Ticats is quite likely.

Wide Receiver

Tori Gurley ($6,900) – I took a cautious wait and see approach on Gurley last week, as he just returned from an injury and was joining a crowded receiving corps. Gurley had a big game in the shootout with Hamilton last week, and the former Green Bay Packer looks poised to take his spot as the main receiving option for Ricky Ray once again. Hamilton’s secondary has been absolutely torched at times this season, and there’s no reason to think Gurley can’t have another big game against the same team this week.

Brandon Banks ($6,600) – The Ticats receiving core is a little crowded right now, which is great for their team, but makes stacking a tough proposition. My inclination is that this is a great spot to use Brandon Banks with his QB this week as Banks is going to get you return yardage regardless of what he does as a receiver. With the Ticats top two receivers doing so much damage last week versus Toronto, don’t be shocked if Banks is left a little more wide open than usual when playing on offense. A big game could be incoming here for the return specialist.

Quincy McDuffie ($4,900) – My other WR who also works in the receiving game is Quincy McDuffie. Given the injured state of the Blue Bombers’ receivers, I’ve been waiting for the breakout game from McDuffie, and it finally came last week. McDuffie gets a weak Saskatchewan secondary for the second week in a row, and even with the return of Weston Dressler he is still in a great spot for anther big game. His price is still very affordable for a return man who also has a huge role in the offense. He’ll continue to be in this column until his price goes up.

Running Back

John White ($6,300) – White returned last weekend and had a solid, if unspectacular, game against the Stampeders. This weekend though the tables turn a bit as the Eskimos are now the home team and much smaller underdogs. White, who missed a week due to injury, was back in his usual lead role last week, and at $6,300, is much lower in salary than he’s been all season. I foresee the Eskimos putting up a much bigger, and better, fight in this game and White becoming a little bigger part of the offense as well. It’s a great discount you’re getting this week on a back in one of the league’s best offenses.

C.J. Gable ($5,100) – Gable had his best game of the season last week as he rushed for over 100 yards. Even with that he still didn’t find the end-zone, so there is some room for improvement here. While Hamilton is really set up to strike through the pass, the added element of Gable’s rushing could change things up quickly, and in another matchup with Toronto, I think you have to take the $5,100 price-tag. Hamilton are 4 point favorites in the game with the highest projected point total of the week, so don’t be shocked if Gable goes off again.

Defense

BC Lions ($5,300): Outside of one big win against the RedBlacks, the Alouettes haven’t scored over 20 points in their last five games. The Lions have looked very solid defensively the last two weeks as well, giving up an average of only 20 points to two much better offenses. With BC, you get a home team who is favored, in a game with the lowest projected point total on the slate. I’ll happily take them over the more expensive Blue Bombers this week and look for the Alouettes to continue to struggle on offense.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is wavegoodbye) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above.